THE PRESIDENT, following adoption by the United Nations
General Assembly on November 19 of a resolution for assistance to Palestine
refugees, will recommend to Congress that the United States contribute
50 percent of the amount provided for in this resolution, but in no
case more than a total of $16 million as the share of the United States.
The resolution of the General Assembly, adopted at
its 163d Plenary meeting on November 19, 1948, considered that a sum
of approximately $29 1/2 million will be required to provide relief
for 500,000 refugees for a period of 9 months from December 1, 1948,
to August 31, 1949, and that an additional amount of approximately $2
1/2 million will be required for administrative and local operational
expenses.
The recommendation of the President to Congress for
an amount not to exceed $16 million will be made in the earnest hope
that other countries will meet the remainder of the total required.
The American Delegation to the United Nations Assembly
has emphasized that in accordance with constitutional requirements the
President's recommendation for an appropriation of $16 million for Palestinian
refugee relief must be accepted by the Congress before any funds become
available. The final decision rests with it. The recommendation will
be transmitted to the Congress after it convenes in January.